Jan 28, 2010 Posted by Bean

New Belgium Trip 4

The Trip is a series of beer collabeerations between Elysian and New Belgium. The Trip IV pays homage to the Finnish style Sahti beer. This beer is all about the juniper baby! Elysian and New Belgium use every bit of the juniper: bark, berries, and root. This is a dark amber colored brew with a subtle sweet nose of vanilla. On the tip of the tongue, it is silky smooth and subtle. Mid palate it bursts with... read more

Jan 28, 2010 Posted by Bean

Columbia Crest Grand Estates 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Each month, Sean Sullivan of the Washington Wine Report, hosts a virtual tasting. Tonight I am tasting January’s selection the Columbia Crest Grand Estates 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.  It was Columbia Crest 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve that came in first of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines for 2009. This is definitely a different label and a different vintage and retails between... read more

Jan 18, 2010 Posted by Bean

Icicle Ridge 2007 Merlot

This Washington state Merlot, from Icicle Ridge Winery, is a pleasing deep garnet color. My plans to visit Icicle Ridge Winery over the weekend fell through, so I opened a bottle of the Icicle Ridge 2007 Merlot to ease my sorrows. The aromas of this wine tantalize with dried cherry, blackberry and red plums and entice with cocoa and milk chocolate.  Predominately, I am reminded of a high quality... read more

Jan 12, 2010 Posted by Bean

Malbec 06 – Covington Cellars

Covington Cellars‘ first Malbec release is a lovely deep ruby colored Washington wine with exceptional clarity.  The grapes are from Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Lots of smoke on the nose of this aromatic wine.  Blueberry is the predominant fruit on the nose. Although their tasting notes say cherry and red fruit, the consensus around our table was blueberry. If I was on a... read more

Jan 7, 2010 Posted by Bean

Interurban IPA

Fremont Brewery’s IPA is named in honor of the famous “Waiting for the Interurban” statue in Fremont. This is a  well balanced Washington IPA (IBU 50-55; alc. 6 percent ABV). The Fremont Brewery Interurban IPA has some pleasing complexity in it’s hop profile. Nice bitter notes from Columbia hops Great citrus flavor  from centennial  hops and a wonderful floral nose from the... read more